BDA Video/DVD Guidelines.

Video or DVD evidence is acceptable for AMBDA and ATS applications. However both applicants and their assessors should note certain guidelines.

All videos/DVDs should be submitted in normal play and PAL format. Videos must be submitted in VHS format. Please ensure that all video/DVD evidence is of sufficient quality to:

• observe facial expression and body language;


• hear precisely what is being said by both applicant and learner; and


• cover the environment, which should be panned first and described on the video/DVD.

The video/DVD must be submitted in normal play and in VHS/PAL format.

The video/DVD should be clearly labelled with the candidate’s name, date and time of recording and number of sessions that were videotaped. However, it should still maintain confidentiality about the school, college, learner, etc.

Accompanying evidence must be available for inspection. If a lesson is being taught, this should include:

• the assessor’s marking forms for the observed lesson;


• the learner profile, long term aims and IEP;


• the plan for the lesson together with the candidate’s self evaluation;


• all worksheets and materials used in the lesson, excluding such obvious items as wooden letters;


• the student’s workbook or photocopies of his/her work completed during the lesson; and


• the plan and evaluation of previous lessons.

For an assessment session, the following should also be included:

• a plan for the assessment session;


• the assessor’s marking forms for the assessment; and


• the diagnostic assessment report.

If it is deemed to be appropriate, lessons may be carried out over more than one sitting but this must be recorded in the accompanying notes.

Candidates should be reminded that written permission to visually record must be obtained before commencing a series of lessons or an assessment session with any learner. The learner should be happy to be visually recorded and understand the purpose of the video/DVD.

It is inappropriate for a camera technician to move around and focus the camera on a student’s work or look over his/her shoulder during the lesson; the camera needs only to have been positioned and left to run. There is no need for refocusing or close ups. The best seating is where the teacher is at right angles to the student and the camera is placed directly opposite. A quick look through the viewfinder beforehand will ensure that the teacher, student and the workstation are clearly in view.

The camera should not be positioned to look into direct sunlight as the figures will appear in outline only and it will be difficult to see facial expression.

Candidates should be aware that the video/DVD evidence should be available for verification and should therefore be kept as evidence for the duration of the course and until accreditation by the BDA.

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